---

---

Let’s examine China’s utilization and restriction of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and its repercussions.

─────────────────────────────

1. Reasons for China's Utilization and Ban of Hallyu
   ─────────────────────────────
   • THAAD Deployment and the Hallyu Ban
   – Following the deployment of the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in 2016, China imposed strong sanctions on Korean cultural content.
   – Various content, including Korean dramas, movies, and K-pop related advertisements, were excluded from China, significantly impacting the Hallyu industry.

• Cultural Security and Strategic Calculation
– China utilized Hallyu as a matter of "cultural security" to curb the spread of Western culture and protect its socialist traditions and cultural identity.
– Analysis suggests that initially, China viewed Hallyu content, which had received a positive response in the Chinese market, as a safeguard against external cultural infiltration.

─────────────────────────────
2. Before the Hallyu Ban: China's Strategy for Utilizing Hallyu
─────────────────────────────
• Entering the Chinese Market and Joint Productions
– Between 2014 and 2016, with a surge in Chinese capital, there was active production of joint Korean and Chinese dramas and films.
– China attempted to enhance its cultural industry competitiveness by attracting famous Korean producers, writers, and actors, which fueled interest in Hallyu.

• Cultural Exchange and Economic Benefits
– Initially, our Hallyu content was very popular with Chinese consumers, and for China, it served as an opportunity to innovate its domestic industry with abundant content.
– However, simultaneously, the intertwining of cultural diplomacy and economic interests led to increased dependence on Hallyu, making it a risk factor.

─────────────────────────────
3. After the Hallyu Ban: New Solutions for the Industry and Fans
─────────────────────────────
• Overseas Platforms and Digital Transformation
– Despite direct market losses due to the Hallyu ban, K-pop and dramas gained new momentum through global streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix.
– With the formation of global fandoms for idol groups like BTS and Blackpink, they secured self-sufficiency in overseas markets.

• The Phenomenon of "Unofficial" Content Consumption in China
– While access to Korean content in China became difficult through official channels, fans still enjoy Hallyu through VPNs and illegal sharing sites.
– The re-release of works like "Oh! My Gran" in China demonstrates the continued spread of Hallyu through unofficial channels.

─────────────────────────────
4. The Political and Economic Implications of Cultural Sanctions and Bilateral Relations
─────────────────────────────
• Minimizing Economic Losses and Political Messaging
– As the cultural industry is exempt from international trade regulations, China could enforce the Hallyu sanctions without significant economic losses.
– If sanctions had been imposed on other industries, both countries would have suffered enormous losses, making cultural content a strategic target.

• Cultural Conflict and Misunderstandings Between the Two Countries
– Following the Hallyu ban, concerns and resentment grew in both South Korea and China over the "infiltration of the Hallyu industry by Chinese capital."
– The emergence of groups like "Little Pink" among Chinese netizens reflects the clash of various sentiments towards Hallyu content.

─────────────────────────────
5. Future Prospects and the Importance of Cultural Exchange
─────────────────────────────
• The Possibility of Resumed Cultural Exchange
– Recent positive signals, such as China's visa exemption and increased cultural and tourism exchanges, suggest the possibility of easing the Hallyu ban sometime in the future.
– If both countries can share each other's culture and values and achieve mutual benefit, the Hallyu industry can grow even further.

• Industrial Diversification and Global Market Penetration
– Hallyu content is already achieving success in numerous regions, including the US and Europe, and developing independently.
– Diverse international expansion strategies that do not rely on the Chinese market will play an important role in future growth.

─────────────────────────────
Summary
─────────────────────────────
China's ban on Hallyu is not a simple sanction, but rather a complex outcome of intertwined political, economic, and cultural interests. Even after Hallyu's exclusion from China, the development of digital platforms and the formation of global fandoms have raised the status of our content. If cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries improve in the future, Hallyu is expected to make another leap forward.

I hope this article helped you understand current Hallyu issues. Let's pay attention to the changing trends in the cultural industry.

*Source URL:
https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/1177434.html